Transparent structure and component parts thereof



L. BURGESS Oct. 1, 1929.

TRANSPARENT STRUCTURE AND COMPONENT PARTS THEREOF Filed July 15 192"! 3Sheets-Sheet l awuemtoz USJJ biwxsm L. BURGESS Oct. 1, 1929.

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.. Filed'July 15, 1927- Snvemtoz Patented Oct. 1, 1929 LOUIS BURGESS, OFROSELLE, NEW JERSEY TRANSPARENT 'SIRUGTURE AND COMPONENT PARTS THEREOFApplication filed July 15,

This invention relates to transparent structures, such as solariums andgreenhouses, and to componentparts thereof. This invention has for itsobject a form of con-truction for structures or extensions involvinglarge transparentsurfaces whereby temperatures either above or below theoutside temperature may be more easily maintained therein.

I accomplish this object by the form of construction illustrated in thedrawings in which: 1

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a unit employed in constructingtransparent surfaces.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal cross section showing the ends of the same.Fig. 3 is a transverse central cross section'of the same.

' Fig. 4 is a perspectiveview of an alternative form of unit. Fig. 5 isa longitudinal cross section showing the ends of the same.

Fig. 6 is a transverse central cross section of the same.

- Fig. 7 is a front elevation of a number of the units shown inFigs. 1,2 and 3 as assembled and Fig. .8 is a longitudinal cross section of thesame thru the line 'I-I.

Fig. 9 is a front elevation of a number of units shown in Figs. 4, 5 and6 assembled and Fig. 19 is a longitudinal cross section thru the lineII--II.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of anassembly of units as shown inFigs. 78, 9 and 10 in combination with means for mantaining same in position toform a panel. Fig. 12 is a side elevation of same. Fig. 13 is a crosssection of Fig.11 thru the line III-III. Fig. 14 is anend view of Fig.11. Figs. 13 and 14 show in addition the manner of attachment of suchpanels to contiguousones.

Fig. 15 is. a perspective view of panelsas- 'sembled to. form part of awall androof.

Fig. 16 is a cross sectional view with part omitted of a structurecomprising such panels showing construction details. Fig. 17 is acomplete cross sectional view of the same. Fig. 18 is a side elevationof part of Fig. 17 thru the line IV-IV and Fig. 19 is a perspective viewof the structure as a whole.

Referring specifically to Fig. 1 the transparent unit of low thermalconductivity 1 is made of transparent materialsuch as glass.

1927. Seria} No. 205,893.

Colored glass having light filtering properties may be used in case itis desired to selectively limit transmitted light and special glass. orother transparent material in case it is desired to extend thetransmitted radiation into the ultra-violet or infra-red. Referringspecifically to Fig. 2 the unit 1 is provided with wall 2 andpreferablyconcave ends 3 and 4 whereby it is better enabled to resistexternal stresses.

contains a vacuum 5. I

The interior of such unit Preferably the major part of the volumebounded by the outer surfaces of same is vacuum, subject to thelimitation that the Walls must be sufiiciently strong to resistcircumbent pressure of the atmosphere and stresses incidental to use.Any vacuum will be partly effective but for best results the absolutepressure in the unit should be less than 10 mm. and mercury.

preferably less than 1 mm. of

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 represent corresponding 1 views of an alternative form1A corresponding numerals denoting corresponding parts.

These units may be made either by the manipulation of tubing etc. as byglass blowing or by blowing fiuid or semi-fluid glass into moulds as atpresent practiced or by any other suitable method. An extension tube ispreferably aflixed or made as an integral part of the unit to beutilized for evacuation thereof "and thereafter to be permanently sealedas by fusion to form the tip 6.

A great number of variations of form may be employed without departing.from my invention, thus such units may be of any polygonal, oval or evenirregular cross section. They should preferably be of a form such thatthey may be conveniently assembled to form an extensive surface asillustrated in vertical plan in Figs. 7 and 9 and cross sectionally inFigs. 8 and 10. Such units may be made close fitting, or interlocking,surfaces in contact may be made serrated, or the joints betweencontiguous units may be sealed with any transparent or semi-transparentcementing material such as for' instance clear varnish, nitrocelluloseor bakelite, alterna material Although I may lay these units and particularly the form shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 contiguously to form anentire Wall my preferred method is to assemble same with suit' ableretaining means to form panels, which retaining means is preferably soconstructed that the external load will be carried thereby when panelsare contiguously joined to form a structure, thereby relieving the unitsof strain and permitting thinner walls therein to form an aggregatesurface of extremely low thermal conductivity and excellent transparenceto light.

The retaining means illustrated in Fig-11 comprises angle iron frames 7,sides 8 and ends 9. These sides and ends may be of any material ofstrength and low thermal conductivity although I prefer wood or asbestoswood. Holes 10 are preferably provided at the margins so that panels maybe bolted together or otherwise secured in contiguous relationship toform part of a wall and/or roof, the details of'such connectionbeingshown in Figs. 13 and 14. Fig. 13 is a cross section and Fig. 14 anend view with 9 removed of a panel as secured to contiguous ones.-

Panels assembled in this manner are shown in perspective in Fig. 15. Asshown cross sectionally in Fi s. 17 and 18 the roof is verticallysupporte by ridge beam 11 carried on columns such as 12. The walls aresecured against horizontal thrust resulting from the Weight of the roofby angle iron 13, torsion rods such as 14 and turnbuckles such as 15 orany other suitable means.

The panels may be carried on a foundation of cement or brickwork such as16. Wood or other filling material may be interposed at joints betweenWall and roof sections 17 and between roof sections 18. A crown piece 19is preferably provided. An. additional, roof sheathin or shingling 20 oftransparent material suc i as plates of glass may be provided tofacilitate shedding of rain or snow, as illustrated cross sectionally inFig. 16.

A complete structure is shown in perspec tive in Fig. 19. Sections suchas 20 and the door shown may comprise the units hereinbefore described(specially shaped where necessary) or may be of ordinary constructionand section 20 is preferably made Openable for ventilation purposes.

The useof such structures is substantially identical with that oftransparent structures now available except that less fuel or otheravailable energy is required for maintaining desired temperaturestherein under adverse weather conditions. Suitable heating equipmentwill of course be included in case temperatures above those external tothe structure are desired and suitable cooling equipment in casetemperatures below are desired The specific views shown are inillustration and not in limitation. Various alternatives surfaces ofwhich bodies is vacuum, the said bodies being laid with their major axessubstantially parallel each to the other and to the plane of the saidtransparent surface.

2. A transparent surface of low thermal conductivity comprising tubularbodies of transparent material, the major part of the volume bounded bythe outer surfaces of which bodies is vacuum, the said bodies being laidwith their major axes substantially parallel and coincident with the'plane of the said transparentsurface and sealing means i at the line ofcontact between the said bodies.

3. An article of manufacture comprising a group of bodies of transparentmaterial, the major part of the volume bounded by the outer surfaces ofwhich bodies is vacuum, the said bodies being of substantially equallength, laid with their ends substantially flush and their major axescoincident with the plane of the extensive surface so formed, and meansmarginally embracing said group of bodies and adapted to retain same infixed relationship to form a pariel.

4. An article of manufacture comprising a group of bodies of transparentmaterial, the major part of the volume bounded by the outer surfaces ofwhich bodies is vacuum, the said bodies being of substantially equallength, laid with their ends substantially flush and their major axescoincident with the plane of the extensive surface so formed, meansmarginally embracing said group of bodies and adapted to retain same infixed relationship to form a panel, and means whereby the said panel maybe joined to similar panels to form structural surfaces.

5. An article of manufacture comprising a group of bodies of transparentmaterial, the

major part of the volume bounded by the outer surfaces of which bodiesis vacuum, the said bodies being of substantially equal length, laidwith their ends substantially flush 6. An article (if manufactureaccordin to claim 3 in which the said bodies are of tu ular form.

7. An article of manufacture according to 5 claim 4 in which the saidbodies are of tubular form.

Louis BURGESS.

